Sunday, February 7, 2016

The 1857 Album Quilt

I found a new quilt to make.

Such a simple sentence but with such a creative journey behind it. For me, the search for designs to make is part of the fun of making the quilt. These days, I am trying to find patterns with challenge and depth. Skill and thoughtfulness. History and art. Something I think is wonderful. That process sometimes takes me a while....but when I find it...well, I have to make it.

At the beginning of this new year I read through many blogs, searched Pinterest, thumbed through the stacks of my old and new magazines and saved catalogues. I needed something new to work on. Nothing grabbed me like this one. It is called The 1857 Album Quilt being offered by Gay atSentimental Stitches. Patterns are free during the month they are being offered. It is a wonderful antique quilt. The patterns are not too complicated. The block size is 10 inches and easy on my hands. There is wonderful and mysterious history to be discovered behind each block. The quilt was made by the friends of Laura R Ackerman. It is her wedding quilt. Gay at Sentimental Stitches is researching the signed blocks and is sharing what she learns about each maker from time to time on this wonderful blog.

I decided that rather than buying a lot more fabric of the type and period that was used in this quilt, I would use the hefty stash of Kaffe Fassett fabrics that I already own. I really put some thought into the background of this quilt and I ended up buying only the background fabric. I am using Simple Marks Pattern 23209 by Malka Dubrawsky for Moda Fabrics. It is a brilliant but understated brown green gold with quirky red dots. I think it is a perfect setting for all of the colorful Kaffe fabrics. I thought it would not diminish this wonderful old quilt if I was to jazz up this 1857 Album Quilt. So here goes....

Block One

Block Two

Block Three

Block Four

Block Five

Unfortunately my circle is a little wonky, kind of an oval shape. I am NOT going to change it now.